The Varsity Hockey team and Walled Lake United Whitecaps met for the annual benefit game on Saturday, January 18th, to raise money for the Rainbow Connection organization that has helped many local families in their time of need. Junior Killian Voorhies represented the Eagles in a ceremonial puck drop and the sides then lined up for the real deal. 

At the 9:00 minute mark, Ryan Danielson showed senior savvy as he tipped the puck forward on a face-off draw to feed a hungry senior Joel Slicker for a net front tap in. Less than a minute later, Voorhies tipped in a powerplay goal off of a shot/pass from Captain Bryce Martin. The hot streak culminated 40 seconds later when Adam Trzcinski rebounded a Nate Dell shot back to the net. Austin Scanlon batted the puck back to Tyler Buback in the slot where he buried it over the glove of the WL goalie. 3-0 after one.

The second period was cooler for the Eagles as the Whitecaps scored to pull within two - not a comfortable spot for Lakeland at all. 3-1 after two. 

Coach Ronayne: "We needed a kick start after losing the 2nd period. We had defensive lapses and WL took advantage of them. They are a gritty team and never quit. Both goalies earned their keep tonight."

Lakeland began the third period on the power play. Captain Carter Sutton provided breathing room 90 seconds in when he shoveled home his first of two on the night (Scanlon, Trzcinski). Cap'n Carter's second came on the PK when a hard Trzcinski forecheck forced a turnover that Sutton backhanded behind a startled Whitecap tender. WL would score one more goal as the Eagles beat a path to the penalty box for the remainder of the game. Goalies Hunter Bennett and Owen Wynn split the game for the win - each allowing one goal. 5-2 Eagles final score.

The Rainbow Connection was the biggest winner thanks to an outstanding event hosting effort by the Walled Lake Whitecap volunteers and the generosity of the Whitecap and Eagle fans. Over $6,000 was raised and then matched by Pepsico to launch the total to over $12,000! Cheers to Pepsico! The next round of Mountain Dew Code Reds are on Coach McElwee. 

The Eagles host South Lyon Unified on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Tip off at 7:20 at the palatial Lakeland Ice Arena.